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WORK FROM HOME—Here’s How...

JOIN THE GROWING RANKS OF EMPLOYEES WHO GET PAID TO WORK FROM HOME - HERE’S HOW:

 

THE COST

Getting started as a telecommuter doesn't require a huge investment. Many get by with just a desk and a telephone. Others require a computer and modem, a separate telephone line, possibly a fax and printer. (Some of these services are free online like, Jfax). Many employers will foot the bill. Pacific Bell spends about $4,000 per telecommuter. Hewlett Packard spends between $4,000 and $6,000 to equip home workers. Not all companies are so generous. In a survey of 100 companies, 48% supplied all the necessary equipment for telecommuters and 6% shared the equipment expense.

 

THE CONVINCE
If you've been unsuccessful convincing management to allow telecommuting, change your strategy. Drop environmental and lifestyle arguments and go directly to the bottom line. Talk cost-benefits. Cite potential savings in sick leave and absenteeism, lowered facility expenses and reduced recruitment costs due to reduced turnover, not to mention productivity gains. Do some research. Find out how much office space costs your organization. If your company pays for parking spaces, add that figure too. Include the cost of furniture and equipment. Then crunch the numbers and show how telecommuting can save your organization money.

 

When Kathy Sutton, a SOHO Jobs subscriber, proposed telecommuting for her work unit at Kaiser Permanente, she concentrated on two major issues: (1) Their office park was at 99% capacity, causing traffic congestion and competition for scarce parking spaces, and (2) a rapid growth in staff required an office relocation.  Kathy studied the alternatives and concluded that telecommuting provided the best cost benefits. Her proposal was adopted by senior management. Now, a year and a half later, the program is so successful that they have expanded it to 25% of the staff.

 

Limited office space was also an argument used by Alison Sanchez, an accounting clerk with Phillips Mortgages in Phoenix. She wanted to spend more time with her new baby and avoid a 40-minute round-trip commute. Pointing to the nature of her work, which requires little or no face-to-face interaction, and the current overcrowded conditions, she convinced her supervisor to allow her to work from home.

 

THE CHANCE

One of Heather Lynchburg's duties as administrative manager for Woodburn Inc, an advertising agency in Dallas, is to participate in the evaluation of employee requests for telecommuting. She advises that prospective telecommuters describe their home office set-up, computer expertise, child-care arrangements, and explain why working at home will allow them to get more done. According to Heather, this will increase your chances by helping the employer see that you have done your homework, so to speak.

 

How To Convince Your Employer

You are invited to request “Overcoming Your Manager’s Fears & Concerns” which offers tips and techniques on convincing your employer to let you work from home.

 

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